Sprint Center: It's been a good first year

Today is the one-year anniversary of the Elton John show -- the first, major live event at our new downtown arena. There has been talk in the news rcently about the lack of an anchor tenant -- a hockey or b-ball team -- and what that could mean to the larger Power & Light District.

I'm not here to get into that discussion. But I can't say I agree even slightly with anyone who says that the arena hasn't more than done its job of lining up big shows and pulling people downtown. Except for Madonna and Radiohead, I can't think of a major tour that hasn't come this way (or isn't about to). Plus, the arena nailed two of the biggest live-music prizes in recent history: Garth Brooks' nine-day siege of Kansas City and opening night of Tina Turner's comeback tour. Here's my list of best music events, moments, etc. over the past 12 months.

1.) Garth Brooks: If you just didn't care and weren't paying attention, you weren't aware of how seismically this nine-show/10-day tour registered in so many corners of the world. I met people who had Leerjet-ed in for the weekend from Napa Valley; others who'd flown coach from Ireland; and someone who'd driven in from western Canada, arriving about an hour before show time. I was neutral on Garth's music going in. Still am.  But that Saturday night show -- Episode 6 of 9 -- was the most uproarious show I've been to in a long time.

2.) The Police: The sound was good, the setlist was very good and the crowd -- which included scores of long-time fans seeing the band for the first time -- was excited and attentive. I only caught two  songs from the opener, Elvis Costello, but one was memorable: his duet with Sting on "Allison."

3a.) Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers with Steve Winwood: Just solid from start to finish.

3b.) Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band; The band gets an A-plus, despite the late start. It delivered 3 hours and 10 minutes of music with barely a pause and a great setlist. I couldn't get past the muddy sound, and I wish the people around me had been more interested in the show than with rushing off to smoke and get more alcohol or with talking to each other.

5.) Tina Turner (Oct. 1): I'd seen her 10 years ago out at Sandstone. Good show. Did not expect the spectacle she unleashed last week. It helped that it was her first show after an eight-year hiatus: This one was being watched from all over the world.

6.) Elton John: (See Tom Petty).

7.)  Van Halen: The rugged sound and occasional technical flaws (mostly with DLR's vocals) could have sabotaged this show but they didn't. Eddie looked great and sounded even better.

8.) Bon Jovi (first show). Lots of middle-age fans (mostly women) got dolled up and acted young again. It was fun and amusing.

9.) Kid Rock with the Rev. Run; The most diverse show so far: hard rock, country, country-rock, Southern rock, rap, classic rock ...

10.)  Keith Urban with Carrie Underwood: Her cover of "Paradise City" is still one of my favorite Sprint Center moments.

Other notes

The sound will always be a point of contention, though we tried to address that issue in this recent piece. It depends on the sound engineer, where your seat is and a few other variables, like your tolerance for volume. The Metallica show next week will be a new kind of test. I'm dubious.

The upper level is a tough place to sit if you're: tall, large and/or acrophobic. And beware the low-lying cupholders, which have caused spills and a few near pratfalls.

When the arena is full, it's tough to get a beverage quickly -- as in, within 15 minutes. The two-drink minimum doesn't help.

The entrances still get backed up for sold-out shows, but the lines seemed to flow faster for the last three or four shows ("Idol" and Tina Turner).

| Timothy Finn, The Star

Comments

[bob]

The NHL and NBA are never coming to KC. I'm still amazed that KC's voters were hoodwinked by this. I'm equally amazed that they are just now realizing they were hoodwinked. I hope the Spring Center does well, but as Tim pointed out, almost every major act has or is soon to be here. There are only so many arena acts out there.

[Dan]

Oklahoma City just got the NBA well after 5 years after the opening of their arena...if OKC can get a team, KC can...maybe not this year or next, but I wouldn't count us out.

[Eric]

Radiohead wouldn't have played the Sprint Center even if they came here. They only play outdoor shows on their American tours.

[smartman]

The past year has to be one of the BEST in a long time for live music in KC, at all the venues. Major props to all the promoters. As lengendary concert promoter Don Law once said..."in order to be a concert promoter you have to be willing to take all of your money and all the money you can get from friends and relatives, set it in a big pile and light it on fire..." The next year is going to be very challenging. Good luck to all the KC promoters, big and small. May your cajones be safe for another year.

[Mike Reed]

Yeah, I agree that the Sprint Center's first year went well. I saw five shows there myself - Van Halen, Ozzy & Rob Zombie, Matchbox Twenty, Bon Jovi - first show and the Police. Really believed the parking situation down there would be bad. Glad to see that I was wrong. Still wouldn't mind catching a show at Kemper every now and then. In 2008, Starlight is like the new Verizon, Sandstone is like the new City Market (sort to speak) and Sprint (of course) is the new Kemper Arena. A lot of changes in one year. Plus, I'll forever miss the long-running KY 99. Yep, like losing an old friend. Miss hearing Alice Cooper's week night radio show - for some reason(s), I cannot pick it up on the Internet.

[mankvill]

Not to mention it had the Big 12 Tourney, that crazy Dinosaurs Alive thing and tons of other stuff. Love the Sprint Center, hopefully it will encourage more entertainment opportunities to come through Kansas City.

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